Garage build question - right of way

[ragu]

WeÂ’re looking at buying a house that has a front attached garage and rear alleyway access in the backyard. ItÂ’s a nice feature for future detached garage build. However, I noticed that there is a concrete swale, for drainage, running inside the property line and parallel to alley access. In short, in order to get to detached garage, one has to drive over the concrete swale.

The structure itself isnÂ’t big enough to cause me bother but more concerned around bylaws/ city creating a fuss.

Based on what I see on cityÂ’s website and quick call to them, IÂ’ll need to leave the concrete swale untouched and clear. But the guy on phone (city) wanted me to dial roads dept to confirm this understanding but thatÂ’s a few days away. Solution is probably using a ramp over the swale each time I get in/ out of the garage.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Will city allow a garage build and access? Thoughts?

[pheoxs]

Ask the realtor for the real property report to see

[ragu]

I have the RPR, what do you need to know? The swale shows up as “overland drainage right of way plan 011 1082”

[ThePenIsMightier]

I believe I've heard that even putting a "bridge" over a swale is forbidden. They need to remain COMPLETELY unobstructed in order to function correctly and this would mean you are fuck.

[ExtraSlow]

Anyone else on your street done anything relevant?

[ragu]

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Anyone else on your street done anything relevant?

Thought I’ll answer this as I spoke to two different departments through 311:
- as long as you give the swale it’s required right of way, building permit is okay ie do not build on top of it and give it a little extra fudge distance to be safe
- the swale itself is the responsibility of the home owner ie keep it clear and well maintained. Bylaw office that I spoke to has been doing it for 17yrs and said a ramp to drive in/ out works but to remove it right away once done so not to give anyone reason to complain. Lastly, be nice to neighbours lol

In short, I’m okay. See if I can get.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Am I picturing correctly that you will have to get out of your car and place a "ramp" over the swale and then remove it after, each and every time you drive in/out of your garage?
I would choose suicide.

[ExtraSlow]

Suicide is never the answer. Murder occasionally is though.

[pheoxs]

He has a front attached I’m assuming would be for day to day driving. Rear garage would just be for projects or seasonal car storage? So not as bad if so.

[ragu]

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He has a front attached I’m assuming would be for day to day driving. Rear garage would just be for projects or seasonal car storage? So not as bad if so.

Correct lol it’s for car storage and workshop only. Let’s see if this even comes together…

[ExtraSlow]

Sounds cool. Make sure there is a large enough door to drive a lawn tractor into the yard side as well.

[Doozer]

It must be a big lot? Not many locations in Calgary have enough space to have a front-attached garage and a rear detached, and still meet the floor-area ratio. Good luck with the sale and planning, looking forward to see how this progresses.

[ExtraSlow]

Sniff, reminds me of the time I had an offer in on a place in Winston Heights that was oversized front double and a rear detached 4-6 car shop.

[AndyL]

There's some places up in Huntington/beddington/macewan - that just ran the steel grating over them for backyard access. Not pretty but - effective.